CENTRAL CAPIZ VS. RAMIREZ

FACTS
The respondent, Ana Ramirez, contracted with the petitioner, Central Capiz, to supply the latter with sugar cane. The said contract was to be converted into a right in rem, recorded in the Registry of Property as an encumbrance upon the land, and binding to all future owners of the same. However, the respondent refused to continue with her contract obligations in the view that it violates Act No. 2874,  “An Act To Amend And Compile the Laws Relating to Lands Of The  Public Domain, And For Other Purposes.” Both parties concede that the land involved is a private agricultural land and raises the question whether such land is within the scope of Act No. 2874.

ISSUE
Whether or not the private agricultural land of the respondent is within the scope of Act No. 2874.


HELD
No, The purpose of the Legislature in enacting Act No. 2874 was and is to limit its application to lands of public domain, and that lands held in private ownership are not included therein and are not affected in any manner whatsoever thereby. The little of the Act is indicative of such legislative intent. The phrase “and for other purposes” contained in the title of the Act must be discarded and treated as non-existent, without force and effect, as it violates the single subject requirement.

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